asgardmeridiem | OPT-OUT EVENT LOG: SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT, WEEKS ONE AND TWO

The volunteers from the LOCUSTS! event last month found in Odin's office endless research into Ginnungagap and a handwritten note from the King prior to his collapse. All arrows are pointing in the direction of the sacred canyon, and so it is that the Travellers will be initiating their own investigation into whatever Odin believes may be down there. It will be done without the eyes of the gods, however, so the trip will be a dangerous one without a map to lead the way and there may be many unforeseen obstacles along the way.

Day 441 ( April 30/May 1 ): As per the whispers on the street, the Travellers that've decided to go on this trip will meet up in the earliest hours of Day 441 at the Gate of Fire. Pack and prepare for a long haul, as this one will be a difficult journey. Any of those that went on the Down This Road opt-out event may want to offer up their memories as a vague guide into the canyon, but either way - without the guidance of the gods, making it to Ginnungagap safely will be nigh impossible.

After the Travellers sneak their way out of Asgard, they will make way towards the canyon to the east. Travel will be slow and difficult, particularly in moving through the forests that have been ravaged by the recent flooding. When they make camp for the evening, they will suffer the same strange sensations as those in Asgard just before 11PM: they will simultaneously feel a flicker in their bodies, like a missed heartbeat or a cut-off breath. Those in Freyr house that were present for the god's death and those that were present for the Friendly Fire event will recognise the sensation; it will happen twice more before one final blip. In that moment, everyone will essentially have a minor blackout: their vision will fade, their bodies will freeze, and there will be an internal sensation of dropping.

After this, the Travellers outside of the city will feel something of a drag towards Ginnungagap. It will feel like an outside force beckoning them inward, to someplace they belong. The compulsion will be relatively easy to overcome, but it will linger all throughout their journey through the depths of Yggdrasil.
Day 443 ( May 4/5 ): Approaching the border between Asgard and Ginnungagap will bring the Travellers closer to the Fire Giants' kingdom of Muspellheim. From this distance, they will just barely be able to make out the great volcano, still lit at its peak, and a heavy black cloud that lingers over most of the kingdom. In this area, it may behoove them to keep an eye out for Giant patrols and pockets of defects from Surt's ranks, all seeking safe ground somewhere in the relatively neutral territory of Ginnungagap. They will be volatile and attack upon sight, but no groups will be any larger than five, maybe six at most.

As they sneak and fight their way across the plains, they will find that Ginnungagap is sparsely littered with old trees and short, soft grass on the outskirts of the canyon, streams flowing from varying mountain peaks into the vast space below; deeper within, it is sheer rock and sharp edges that are harsh and unyielding. If one were to look at it from above, they might think someone stabbed a knife into solid stone and carved out a jagged wound, and so it is moving through the canyon itself, where one false step can lead to certain and painful death.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The small canteen at his side was given a shake indicating there was liquid inside but...]

Tea. While I have tried coffee a few times, it is just so bitter even with cream and sugar. I could not develop a strong liking to it.

You do look like you could use a cup though! Not used to getting up so early? I prefer to sleep in too but there are times when that is not possible.

[What was that about being grumpy at those who excessively chattered? You sir, have stumbled onto a talker!]

That's the point. It's supposed to be bitter.

( he grumbles all of that, looking at the other man skeptically. he hasn't seen him around, before, but that doesn't mean much. )

There's a reason you're so excited?

Really? How terrible... Not if you like bitter things, I suppose, but...

[A hand was waved in the air brushing that bit of conversation away.]

You are not? The chance to explore and possibly find something we missed the last time we visited Ginnungagap is very exciting!
I am not looking forward to the possible dangers but, with a smaller group like this maybe we can slip past any that may exist. I knew there had to be something out there I was not seeing! With this new clue...

[Ah now the little wheels in the curious mind were spinning, trying to remember if there was anything he had seen or drawn before that might some how be connected to that note.
At least there is a moment of silence while he completely spaces out.]

Have you been before?

( bones is used to working with geniuses, after a fashion, so he vaguely recognizes the pattern of an excited explanation followed by a blank moment. still, that doesn't stop him from staring, trying to figure out if the other man has actually said anything or is just filling the silence.

he huffs out a breath and smiles, wryly, even as he shakes his head. )

Haven't been out of that damn city, before. But the exploring thing's not too different from what I do back home, so I figured I could help.

( there's another shrug, because ginnungagap is certainly not just any other uncharted planet. but he can create the equivalency for his own peace of mind if he wants. )

[The problem at hand held no ready solution, so as difficult as it was he would just have to... sigh, wait until they actually made it there to see what might be found.

With this settled in his mind he could greet wry smile with a warm one of his own. Not that the expression wasn't tinged with just a hint of apprehension for the gentleman who had never left the city before.]

You might have wanted to wait for a better occasion for your first trip. With out the Gods with us this could become very hazardous.

[A light chuckle proceeded the rest.]

But if you are an explorer you might be more fit for this trip than I.
I enjoy exploration but I usually end up spending more time in towns and workshops.

That's why I'm here. I'm a doctor, I can help with hazardous. ( but maybe that isn't the whole truth. as much as bones disparages his mission and extended profession, there is something fulfilling about seeing the unseen and discovering the unknown. here, where any small step might help them lick this thing, that becomes even more pronounced. and he's sick of sitting around and feeling useless, besides.

he grimaces at leonardo's chuckle, but there's no sincere venom in it. )

Towns and workshops don't sound half bad, to me. Exploring, as a profession, could stand to be bettered with a few creature comforts. Hotels, and a bar ever few hours or so.

Ah! That is a relief! I am glad some one with medical knowledge is coming along.
This was all arranged so quickly I wondered if people had planned well enough for the trip.

[You might see a lot of work out there Doctor. He hopes not, but you never know...]

They are fine places, most of the time... But one does need to get out and see the countryside too. In this case the chance to solve a possible mystery was just too tempting.

[But enough about him. The newly discovered Doctor was given a scrutinizing look. He was after all wearing an unfamiliar uniform. It sort of created questions.]

Where, or should I ask, what time period did you practice medicine in?

I think they did the best they could, all considered. ( he says that with a light shrug and an idle wave of his hand. at the other man's questions, he huffs out something like a laugh. )

The 23rd century, by standard Earth dating. The year was 2260.

Most impressive Doctor! Aside from the men whose name is 'Doctor' who travel through time like it is nothing more than a light breeze, you are the one from the most futuristic time. You must know so many new medical techniques!

[Enough to put his dabbling in anatomy to shame!]

We were just beginning to understand the small details that make the body work in 1488.

( 1488. that's... a long time ago. and dysentery and ergotism aside, not the worst in terms of progress. )

Eh, it all came from standing on the backs of giants, or whatever it was that Newton said. You can't have the future, without the past.

( belatedly, he extends a hand. ) I'm Leonard McCoy.

A very wise man this Newton. I will have to remember that. Sometimes you can feel so left behind by all of the new advancements.

[This hand is taken and given a friendly if perhaps too enthusiastic shake.]

It is nice to meet you, Doctor McCoy! I am Leonardo da Vinci

( he shakes da vinci's hand right back, though his smile's a little stale. then his eyes go a bit wide. )

Wait a second-- da Vinci?

( he knows for sure that he'll be breaking the prime directive if he says anything else, so he just shrugs. )

That's Italian, is that right?

Si, it means 'from Vinci'. But if you thought to ask maybe you already know?

[Oh his reaction was met with the greatest amount of amusement! The blank smile had not been noticed but the sudden, Leonardo would call it shock, when the man's eyes had widened had been. There was no way to suppress the mischievous grin.]

Call it a lucky guess. ( he mumbles that, embarrassed. but really, what are you supposed to do when faced with living history? and he'd thought the future doubling back was bad enough. )

OPT-OUT EVENT LOG: SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT, WEEKS ONE AND TWO

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